Caregivers Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

If you've never been a caregiver to an aging or ailing relative or friend, there's a good chance that someday you will. About 65 million Americans have provided care for an ill or elderly family member or friend in any given year, according to a 2009 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP. The task, which can take up an average of 20 hours of a caregiver's week, can take a toll on caregivers' health, their job performance and their finances.

If there's one thing caregivers need to know, it's this: Help is available, and there is no shame in asking for it.